As-salaam Alaikum,
Please This might help you
* Be in the state of Purity during your supplication.
* When making supplication for others, start with yourself first then include others. Allah (SWT) said about Noah (PBUH)
"My Lord, forgive me and my parents and him who enters my home as a believer, and all the believing men and women.." (Qur'an 71:28).
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Times Of Supplication
There are certain times when supplication is more likely to be accepted by Allah (SWT) as the Prophet (PBUH) said. These times are:
The Last Third Of The Night:
Narrated Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him); that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)said: In the last third of every night our Lord (Allah [SWT]) descends to the lowermost heaven and says;
?Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?". [Reported by Bukahri].
Late at night, when people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (SWT) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (SWT) for whatever they need.
Between Adhan and Iqama:
Narrated Anas (Ra); Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said:
A supplication made between the Adhan (calling for prayer) and (calling to start praying) Iqama is not rejected. [Reported by An-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahihAn Hour On Friday:
Narrated Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him); Allah's Messenger (PBUH) talked about Friday and said:
"There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (SWT), then Allah (SWT) will definitely meet his demand". And he (the Prophet (PBUH) pointed out the shortness of that time with his hands. [Reported by Bukahri].
Some said this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer's leader) enters the mosque on Friday's prayer until the prayer is over where others have said that it is the last hour of the day. (Note: when we say an hour here we do not mean the hour everyone knows [60 minutes] but an unspecified period of time because the time counters which we use today came after the Prophet (PBUH) had died.
While Drinking Zamzam Water:
Narrated Jaber (may Allah be pleased with him); Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said
Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for. [Reported by Ahmed and Ibn Majah].
This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (SWT) for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness.... etc
While Prostrating:
Narrated Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him); Allah's Messenger (PBUH), said:
The nearest a slave can be to his Lord (Creator) is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (SWT) much. [Reported by Muslim].
When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (SWT) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah (SWT) so it is best to invoke Allah (SWT) at this time.
On The Day Of Arafa:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafa. [Reported by At-Tirmidhi and Malik].
When Waking Up at Night:
Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said:
Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lah lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shai'in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (SWT). He is the only one who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for Allah (SWT). All the glories are for Allah(SWT). And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (SWT) and Allah(SWT) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allah (SWT) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (SWT), he will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be accepted. [Reported by Bukhari]
At The End Of The Obligatory "Salat?:
Narrated Abu Omamah (may Allah be pleased with him); that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (SWT), he said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer). [Reported by At-Tirmidhi].
This time is after saying ?At-tahyat?, and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer).
The Night Of ?Qadr? (Decree):
This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the almighty Allah (SWT) said about it:
?The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand month?. (Qur'an 97:3)
During The Rain:
Narrated Sahel Ibn Saad (may Allah be pleased with him); that the Messenger of Allah (OBUH) said:
Two will not be rejected, Supplication after the Adhan (call of prayer) and at the time of the rain. [Reported by Al-Hakim and Abo Dawood].
The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (SWT) so, one should take advantage of this time when Allah (SWT) is having mercy on His slaves.
The One Who Is Suffering Injustice:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to Moaad Ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him):
Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the one who is suffering injustice) and Allah (SWT) [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
The One who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (SWT) when he invokes Allah (SWT) to retain his rights from the unjust one. Allah (SWT) has sworn to help the one who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said.
The Traveler:
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah [SWT]), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler,. [Reported by Al-Bayhaqi and approved by Al-Albani].
During travel supplication is heard by Allah (SWT) if the trip is for a good reason, but if the trip is for a bad intention or to perform illegal things (making sins) this will not apply to it.
The Parents Supplication for His Child: (See the previous paragraph).
Conditions of Supplication:
- One must know that only Allah (SWT) can answer his supplication and He is the only one Who can bring good to him. Allah (SWT) said:
"Is not He Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generation after generation. Is there any god with Allah? Little is that you remember" Qur?an (27:62)
One must invoke Allah (SWT) alone and no others. Allah (SWT) said:
"And the mosques are for Allah (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Him" Qur'an (72:18)
- One must be patient.
- One must think positively of Allah (SWT), must have faith in Him and believe that He has the ability to do anything He wants. Narrated Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him); Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
"Supplicate Allah with confidence He will answer you" [Reported by At-Tirmidhi].
Mistakes In Supplication
- Invoking other than Allah (SWT) such as prophets, pious people, stone, idols ... etc this is Shirk (polytheism).
- Wishing to die. Some people when they get sick, and they do not heal soon, or they have some personal problems they start wishing for death.
- Asking Allah (SWT) to hurry or give his punishment in this life.
- Asking Allah (SWT) to break the bond of kin-ship. (such as separating one from his parents).
- Supplicating for sins to spread in the Islamic society.
- The ?Imam? (prayer's leader) making supplication for himself without including the followers in his supplication. (during group prayer, At-taraweh in Ramadan).
- Invoking Allah (SWT) to see if there is a response without a sense of genuine purpose.
- Raising the voice during the supplication. It should be done secretly.
- Saying Insha-Allah, (Allah willing) after the supplication. (Ex.: O' Allah forgive my sins if you will) Narrated Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him); the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"None of you should say: O' Allah forgive me if you wish, O' Allah be merciful to me if you wish, but he should always appeal to Allah (SWT) with determination, for nobody can force Allah (SWT) to do something against His will.
- Invoking Allah (SWT) aggressively, (asking Allah [SWT]) for impossible things such as asking Him to make you a prophet or immortality).
- Asking Allah (SWT) to harm a Muslim.
- Asking Allah (SWT) to have a Muslim commit a sin or die as a non believer.
Reasons For Supplication's Acceptance
There are some reasons which cause the supplication to be accepted by Allah (SWT). They are:
Repentance to Allah (SWT): The almighty Allah (SWT) said:
?I said (to them): 'Ask forgiveness from your Lord, Verily, He is Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance; And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers? Qur'an (71:10,12)
- Good income: The income must be halal (lawful) as the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was asked by one of His companions, How could I have my supplication responded to? The messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
?Make your income lawful and your supplication will be responded to?.
- Perform Supererogatory Deeds: Such as voluntary prayer and voluntary fasting.
- Chose The Preferred Time For Supplication: (see above).
Reasons For Supplication's Rejection
As there are reasons for acceptance of a supplication, there are also reasons for rejection of a supplication. Here are some reasons which will cause Allah (SWT) to reject the supplication:
1- Illegal Income.
2- Committing A Lot Of Sins.
3- Having doubt in Allah (SWT), or having doubt that he?ll respond to you supplication.
4- Being Aggressive When Supplicating.
What Happens When Supplication is Made?
When someone invokes Allah (SWT), one of the following will happen:
1- Allah (SWT) will respond to the supplicant and He will give him what he asked for.
2- Allah (SWT) will prevent the supplicant from being harmed.
3- Allah (SWT) will reward the supplicant with ?Hasanat? (good reward) which will be kept for him on the Day Of Judgment.
Selected Supplications from the Qur?an
* ?Rabana atina fey ad-dunia hasanah wa fey al-akhairatty hasanah waqana addab annar". (Our Lord, give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Hellfire). (Qur'an 2:201)
* "Rabana atina men ladunka rahamah wa haia lana men amrina rashada". (Our Lord, bestow on us mercy from Yourself, and facilitate for us our affair in the right way). (Qur'an 18: 10)
*"Rabana la tawakhidna in nasina aw akhtta?ana" (Our Lord, punish us not if we forget or fall into error). (Qur'an 2:286)
* Rabana eghfer lana wa lee ekhwanina aladhina sabaqowna bill eaman walla taga?al fey qoolobana ghillan lilathina amanoo, Rabana ennka ra?wofon rahaim" (Our Lord, forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord, you are indeed full of kindness, most merciful). (Qur'an 59:10)
Selected Supplications from Sunnah
* Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
"The best supplication for seeking forgiveness is to say, "Allahuma anta Rabi la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa ana ala ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu A udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u laka bini'matika alaiya, wa abu'u bidhanbi faghfirli fa innahu la yaghfiru adhunuba illa anta." (O Allah you are my Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You). The Prophet (PBUH) added; "If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before evening he will be from the people of Paradise. And if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before morning, he will be from the people of Paradise." [Reported by Al-Bukhari].
* Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
* "Oh people, repent unto Allah for I repent to Allah one hundred times every day". [Reported by Muslim]. (Repenting to Allah by saying "Atubu illa Allah", I repent to Allah).
* Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
"If a Muslim asks Allah (SWT) with the supplication of Prophet Yunus (Jonah), he will be responded to" [Reported by Ahmed].
The supplication is
"La illaha illa anta subhanak ini kuntu mena ad-dalimean"
Means There is no God but You; Glory be to You, Verily I was one of the transgressors.
Brother Muslim, now after you have learned how to invoke Allah (SWT) the way the Prophet (PBUH) did and ordered us to do so, you must always remember when you invoke Allah (SWT) that you are dealing with the Master of everything. The One who Created you so you should have the feeling of this great worship of Allah (SWT). In other words, just imagine, as you are asking promotion from your employer; before anything else you have to do your job in the best way he likes you to do. So you will even work harder and give extra time just to please him. Then, you will choose the best time wherein he will be in a good mood, and you will ask him with the best words he likes to hear from you or to please him (your employer). So if you do that you will more likely get what you want from him. Think brothers, the same with Allah (SWT). Invoke Allah (SWT) just the way He likes, so you will get from Allah (SWT) what you want and if you do not get what you asked for, you must know that the problem is with you and you must check with yourself and your Faith.
At the end, I ask Allah (SWT) by His great names and His great attributes to lead me and you to the best of deeds with sincerity for His sake only and peace and blessings be upon the prophet, his family, companions and all of his followers till the last day.
